WIX Archives

David Price's Swordfish sold

Posted by Dennis Bergstrom on Fri Feb 21, 2003 10:39:35 AM

A member of the Commemorative Air Force purchases a Fairey Swordfish.

David Price (Santa Monica Museum of Flying) had a buyer for his Fairey Swordfish [Mk II "HS164" ex Ernie Simmons 1946-1970, Mira Slovak 1983-mid 1990s N2235R,]. However, he gave the CAF the first opportunity to buy the aircraft because he wanted to be sure the airplane would be restored to airworthy condition and flown for the public. Steve Barber of the CAF General Staff found a CAF member willing to purchase the plane. This gentleman will donate the Swordfish to the CAF after he is repaid the purchase price. The CAF First Observation Detachment (FOD) will be responsible for raising the funds to repay the loan, getting aircraft sponsorships and funding for the restoration of the aircraft to airworthy status. FOD will probably be assigned the aircraft once it is donated to the CAF.

The Swordfish's fuselage and tail have been on display, suspended from the ceiling, at the Santa Monica Museum of Flying for over ten years. It will be trucked to CAF Southern California Wing's Camarillo complex very soon where some initial work might begin. The fuselage and tail were restored over 10 years ago and everything will be need to be inspected to see if it's up to airworthy standards. The wings and engine will need full restoration.

The CAF First Observation Detachment was formed in 2002 with Paul Koskela as leader. Within a short time after its formation, over seventy people paid membership dues as the charter members and it's already working toward its first warbird assignment! Since FOD has no hangar facilities or qualified mechanics, they will enter into an arrangement with another CAF unit (or units) who will do the restoration work, provide the hangaring, and help with the expenses. Details remain to be worked out. Once the aircraft is airworthy, details of the operations also remain to be worked out. The group is looking for stories from former Swordfish crewmen and for donations to restore the aircraft.

This new CAF detachment also filmed and produced the official video for FINA-CAF AirSho 2002. The one hour video, which is mainly the sights and sounds of warbirds in action at Midland with little dialogue, can be purchased in NTSC and PAL format from: First Observation Detachment, Commemorative Air Force, PO Box 34, Chewelah, WA, USA 99109-0034.

Dennis (a proud charter member of FOD)

Follow Ups: